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I'm a writer, living in Bristol in the UK. I've had a handful of short stories published but I'm still working on that Holy Grail for fiction writers- securing a literary agent. So, if you're an agent or have an Auntie, Uncle, second cousin, best friend who is one...

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Exploring fictional worlds in a flash

Love Nudge Competition

Yes, my darlings, it’s the 7th of February and you know what that means, don’t you?

No, it doesn’t mean it’s the 619th anniversary of the Bonfire of the Vanities, where the good people of Florence had a headfit and decided to purge the city of sin by burning books, paintings and make-up. It also doesn’t mean it’s the 112th anniversary of the Great Baltimore Fire, which left 35,000 people unemployed and caused $3.84 billion of damage in today’s money.

Well, it is these things, but of course you already knew that.

No, my sweet puddings of delight, what today is is exactly a week until – de-de-de-de-de-de-derrrrr!

St Valentine’s Day!

Now, apart from having a mob-related massacre named after him, being the patron of beekeepers, epileptics, fainting, travellers and plague victims, Saint Valentine is of course the mastermind behind the greetings card, floral and choc-tastic sell-athon that is next Sunday. Who would have thought that a 3rd century Roman priest and martyr would inspire such a commercialised grab-fest? Not him for one.

Anyhoo, in honour of the day, I thought I’d run a little competion. I have a series of

LOVE NUDGES,

key words, which if read in order could chart the beginning, middle and end of a doomed relationship (and let’s face it, the doomed ones are the most interesting, aren’t they?) Everyday next week, I’ll post a ‘nudge’ a day and all you have to do is write a little something relating to it and pop it in my comments box.

And don’t feel you have to be all Mills and Boon – I’ll be pleased to see romantic/horror, romantic/surrealism, romantic/magic-realism, romantic/sci-fi/zombie/Hemmingway fanfic. As long as it refers in some way to the day’s word and has some reference to a romantic relationship (straight, gay, bi, vegetal) that’s fine by me.

But nothing explicit in content, please – don’t make me blush, now.

If you’re an eager beaver and want to do some swotting up for the week ahead, here’s the schedule of events –

Monday: Attraction

Tuesday: Obsession

Wednesday: Jealousy

Thursday: Security

Friday: Regret

Saturday: Ennui

Sunday: Loathing

Yes, we end a week of romance with Loathing, and what a better way to finish. It’s what Val would’ve wanted.

Well, I said it was a competition and competitions have prizes, so the sweet soul who inspires me most over the week will either have my undying respect, admiration and pixel-licks, or (if they live inside the UK), will receive a copy of Still Me an anthology by my writing group All Write Then, and my first foray into print.

Final judging won’t start until the week commencing 15/2/16 as I’ll be in thorny-rosy-floristy hell until then.

Brownie points, extra love and virtual hugs and kisses got to all those who spread the word on any social media outlet, so Twitter and Facebook your little hearts out.

You keener! Fantastic. Thanks so much. It’s the first competition I’ve run and as I don’t have that many people who actively participate on my blog, it could just be you and me – which would be just fine 🙂

Thank you! Yes, I studied it a little too, years ago. Interesting that they thought books and paintings were corrupting people. I wonder what he would want to burn these days? TV and the internet probably! I do hope you feel inspired to join in. Thanks for reading 🙂